Some 3.4 million Filipinos are visually-impaired and 62% of the cases are due to cataracts, with almost 500,000 blind in both eyes, according to the Ophthalmological Foundation of the Philippines. About 90% of people who suffer from blindness belong to poor communities.

“It is important to note that 75% of cases of blindness can be avoided through prevention and treatment. No person should be needlessly blind and we hope to reach as many people as possible who have no means for proper eye care,” said Dr. Felipe Tolentino, OFPHIL founder and president.Gus Albor, Virgilio Aviado, Cesar Caballero, Valeria Cavestany, Igan D'Bayan, Ramon Diaz, Arturo Luz, Ramon Orlina, Impy Pilapil, Cid Reyes, Juvenal Sanso, Jaime Zobel and Betsy Westendorp had contributed to a selection of paintings and sculptures to be sold in this fundraising project that will benefit visually impaired indigents.

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There is a Vincent Van Gogh exhibition going on at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Entitled “Van Gogh Up Close,” the exhibit has been organized by Joseph J. Rishel and Jennifer A. Thompson, curators in Philadelphia, working with Ms. Kienle, a curator at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, and Cornelia Homburg, an independent scholar. It examines van Gogh’s relationship to nature at its most intimate.

Meanwhile, a biography of Vincent van Gogh call into question the long-accepted notion — central to the myth of the troubled artist — that he committed suicide. Read New York Times article here.

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Christie's auctioned off this Roy Lichstenstein painting for $43.82 million. It was one of the ten priciest art pieces sold by Christie's in 2011. This goes to prove the highly lucrative world of collecting art. See the others here.

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Artwork for Art in the Park 2012 - “Birth” by Pam Yan-Santos

This February 18, the familiar white tents of Art In The Park will once again dot the grounds of Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati. From 2 p.m. to 12 midnight, art aficionados, collectors, or just the plain curious can pop into any one of the tents and, perhaps, come away with pieces that are not only beautiful, but easy on the pocket as well. In keeping with its tagline “an affordable art fair,” Art In The Park has capped its prices at P30,000. The majority of the pieces, however, are pegged at way less than this ceiling price.

Live jazz music will be provided by Soulful Mood, as well as progressive “chill” music from Diwa de Leon and his hegalong. For refreshments, there will be wine from Straits Wine Company and a selection of food from Window’s Café, Nic’s Bakeshop, Golden Spoon, and Rafik Shawarma.